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Freotopia > documents > G. F. Moore, as Philaleth
George Fletcher Moore wrote to the editor of The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal over the pseudonym of Philaleth (from the Greek φιλαλήθης, 'lover of truth')
This letter was published 13 July 1833.
Philaleth 1
To the Editor of the Perth Gazette,
Sir,—A learned commentator on the laws of England, in analyzing the title by which individuals claim exclusive possession of any portion of the surface or substance of the earth, after shewing that it is derived from the natural right arising from prior occupancy, thus proceeds "Upon the same principle was founded the rights of migration, or sending colonies to find out new habitations, when the mother country was overcharged with inhabitants ; which was practised as well, by the Phoenicians and Greeks, as the Germans, Scythians and other northern people. And, so long as it was confined to the stocking and cultivation of desert uninhabited countries, it kept strictly within the limits of the law of nature. But how far the seizing on countries already peopled, and driving out or massacring the innocent and defenceless natives, merely because they differed from their invaders in language, in religion, in customs, in government, or in colour ; how far such a conduct was consonant to nature, to reason, or christianity, deserved well to be considered by those, who have rendered their names immortal by thus civilising mankind." The British nation has deservedly acquired a high name for justice and honor in its national dealings. But the treatment of the original owners and inhabitants of several countries, which have from time to time been taken possession of under its sway, is singularly at variance with this character, and forms an unfavourable exception against the national honor. In the first attempts at colonising America, the utter disregard of the title of the owners of the soil seems a remarkable trait in the character of a people peculiarly jealous of their own property, liberty, rights and privileges. A private individual of an inoffensive yet persecuted sect, "first had the glory (as has been well remarked by a spirited French writer,) to set an example of moderation and justice, which was not so much as thought of before by Europeans." He first regarded the right of the owners of the soil and made a recompense, be that recompense what it may, for the cession of their territory, and Pensylvania now stands the glorious record of his name, and imperishable monument of his equity. "Tis true that this bright example has been tardily followed up at a long distance of time, when lessons of wisdom were learned by a dear bought experience; and that the small and wretched remnant of once powerful tribes, are now at last secured in the unmolested possession of a petty portion of that territory which was rightfully and wholly their own.—Let us now turn to another hemisphere and see what occurred at the first colonising of New South Wales. Here again was no appearance of open and avowed recognition of the rights of the native inhabitants. No preliminary attempt to obtain their consent, or amicable acquiescence in the measure. No preconcerted plan of conciliation. No well-directed efforts for mutual explanation. A large proportion of the population, with whom the natives were likely to come in contact, were the very outcasts from civilised society. Jealousy of intrusion and consciousness of natural right was on the one side, mistrust of intention and haughtly ideas of superiority on the other, so that almost the first meeting was a hostle collision. Feelings of enmity were engendered, and savage animosity was raised in the very outset, which it required years of judicious policy and well sustained measures of conciliation to subdue, and to eradicate. But if we turn our views still nearer to ourselves and look to the history of Van Diemen's Land, what a frightful picture its annals present. Wanton outrage and mutual violence. Hatred almost irreconcileable—revenge as sure as it was deadly, murder in its most appalling form—total insecurity of life and property—plunder, burnings, and devastation. And were the settlers inactive? Have they been supine?—Wholesale massacre and indiscriminate slaughter have marked the traces of their activity in characters of blood. Yet they profited nothing. We have seen few and feeble steps towards conciliation, many and vigorous attempts at extermination, a simultaneous and universal effort at total expulsion, signally failing, and when all other means had been found ineffectual, then—then at last we see earnest and hearty endeavours to bring about an amicable understanding, The effect as described seems almost magical.—Now for the first time since the foundation of that colony is there firm hope and sure promise of peace, and while we hope that the lesson thus taught may not be thrown away upon us, gladly and readily do we echo back the words and wish of its annalist Esto perpetua." Sir, much remains to be said on this subject, and I shall resume it with your permission on future occasions. Believing, as I do that the views of our present local Government, are decidedly friendly to the natives, both upon principle and from motives of sound policy, I trust I am not too sanguine in expressing a hope that the day is not far distant, when they shall be enabled to carry into operation, matured plans of effectual conciliation; and that whilst on the one hand, the condition of the Aborigines may be ameliorated, on the other, our lives and property may be secure from hazard,—so that their procurement of subsistence may be compatible with our enjoyment of the soil.
I am, Sir, yours, PHILALETH.
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